Carnival in Tenerife

Tenerife, in Spain, is home to one of the most popular Carnival celebrations in the world.

After Rio De Janeiro, the Carnival celebration that takes place every February in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, is the largest and most popular Carnival celebration in the world. This was officially recognized in 1980 when this Spanish fiesta was declared a Tourist Festival of international interest. There has also been significant push to try to get UNESCO to declare the weeklong event as a World Heritage.

The Carnival of Tenerife opens with a parade on the Friday before Carnival.  By night fall, thousands of people dressed up in colorful costumes fill the streets and celebrate until the next day.  This pattern is repeated, night after night, until Ash Wednesday when the burial of the sardine ceremony is carried out. The burial of the sardine signifies the “death” of fun times, before the restrictions of Lent begin. Although this event signifies the official end of Carnival, the next weekend known as “Piñata” weekend is also filled with special events.  

During carnival there are official celebrations with contests, royalty, music, food, dance and much more. Each year there is also a specific theme selected for the events and costumes.

Anyone visiting Tenerife Spain during the month of February is sure to have an amazing time at one of the best carnival celebrations in the world!